Crossing back over to the western flank of the Sierras earlier this month I took the entirety of California State Route 174 from Grass Valley in Nevada County to Colfax in Placer County. CA 174 is a short 13 mile State Highway between CA 20/49 in Grass Valley and I-80 in Colfax. CA 174 southbound begins at the CA 20/49 freeway at exit 182A in Grass Valley. The southbound lane of CA 174 uses Tinloy Street to reach Colfax Avenue. CA 174 southbound uses Colfax Avenue which becomes the Colfax Highway exiting Grass Valley. CA 174 is signed as the Officer Bill C. Bean Jr. Memorial Highway. Empire Street from CA 174 southbound accesses Empire Mine State Historic Park. There is a mining head frame located on Empire Street just off of CA 174. The Empire Mine opened in 1850 after gold bearing quartz was found near Grass Valley. Much of early mining activity in California used Placer methods but the hard rock surface around Grass Valley made...
Because every road has a story.